Book of Hours
Thursday 22 March 2007 21:45-22:30 (Radio 3)
Matthew Sweet brings together the curators of a new exhibition dedicated to a masterful 15th-century Book of Hours and the writer Kevin Jackson, who has created a modern literary version of the medieval book containing texts, prayers, psalms and illuminated manuscripts to accompany the daily ritual of Christian worship: they compare notes on this traditional book form. Plus a review of 300, a new film about the epic Battle of Thermopylae between the Spartans and the Persians.
Playlist
Judas
Judas is known to most of us as the great betrayer, the man who gave Jesus away for thirty pieces of silver.
For centuries this has been one of the cornerstones of Christian belief.
Now that belief is being challenged in a new book written by the novelist Jeffrey Archer.
With the expert advice of the Biblical scholar Professor Frank Moloney, Archer has written 'The Gospel According to Judas', an account which challenges the truth of some of Christ's most famous miracles and portrays Judas as more deceived against than deceiving.
Matthew Sweet talks to Jeffrey Archer and his co-author about the basis of their account and how it could change our understanding of the Gospels.
The Gospel According to Judas: By Benjamin Iscariot by Jeffrey Archer and Frank Moloney is published by Macmillan.
Feast
Is sharing food an everyday, unremarkable occurrence?
The human tendency to sit together peacefully over food appears to be a phenomenon that many species find impossible.
Martin Jones, the author of a new book 'Feast' will be in the studio to talk about why humans share food and how, in so doing, they've become masters of storytelling.
Feast: Why Humans Share Food by Martin Jones is published by OUP
The Book of Hours
The medieval 'Book of Hours' contained prayers, psalms and illuminated manuscripts for accompanying Christian worship.
The curator, Mara Hoffman, of a new exhibition at the British Library in London dedicated to a masterful fifteenth century 'Book of Hours' joins Matthew Sweet along with the writer Kevin Jackson, the author of a modern literary version, to compare notes on how the book shaped our notion of time.
The Book of Hours by Kevin Jackson is published by Gerald Duckworth and Co
For more information on the exhibition at the British Library, please click on this link: http://www.bl.uk/onlinegallery/themes/euromanuscripts/bedford.html
300
The film '300' is a retelling of the Battle of Thermopylae when three hundred Spartans blocked the path of the vastly superior Persian Army.
Their courage in a hopeless cause was used as propaganda to inspire other Greeks to resist the Persian invasion.
The classisist Edith Hall joins Matthew to discuss ancient propaganda, contemporary politics and Spartan battle tactics.
300 is on general release, certificate 15.
